Read out the barcode - there are options
If you want to read a barcode, it works both on the PC and with the smartphone. We will introduce you to the various ways in which you can decipher your barcodes.
Software: Read out the barcode on the computer
- You can find countless programs on the Internet with which you can read a barcode. The software "bcTester" and "bcWebcam" are both free of charge and worked perfectly in the test.
- With the "bcTester" you can read barcodes from files. To do this, the barcode must be available, for example, as a photographed image or in a PDF file. The code can then be easily read out.
- If the product with the barcode is right in front of you and you have a webcam, "bcWebcam" will help you. Simply hold the code in front of the camera, it will be scanned and then decrypted.
Smartphone: Read out barcodes on the go
- With the free application Barcoo for iOS and Barcoo for Android, you can quickly scan and read the codes with your mobile phone. Hold the code shortly in front of the cell phone camera.
- Almost every common product is now listed in the Barcoo database. Depending on the barcode, the prices of the product, several retailers, customer reviews and further information are then displayed.
Online: Read barcodes on websites
- If you do not want to install software on your computer or smartphone, you can access the services of several websites. These recognize barcodes within a few seconds.
- Take a photo of your barcode or scan the code. Upload the image to services like "Inlite.com", "OnlineBarcodeReader.com" or "zxing.com" and wait a moment. You will then receive the decrypted text.
In the next practical tip, we will tell you what an ITF barcode is.